Hinge for vat covers



June 9, 1931. Q LARSEN HINGE FOR VAT COVERS Filed July 175.` 1929 Patented June 9, 1931 UNITED stares PATENT OFFICE OLAF LARSEN, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSTGNOR TO THE CREAMERY PACKAGE MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILL'NOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS HINGE FOR VAT COVERS Applicationnlea July 13, 1929.

The invention relates to hinges as used for the support of the covers on the open-top milk vats well known in the dairy industry.

Milk vats .are commonly of large dimensions, and it is usual to provide a stationary or lixed cross member or center board across the open top side of the vat, and to support two or more cover sections therefrom by hinged connection to the center boa-rd. Such hinges must be strong, durable and Without great weight, also it is desirabl-e that any condensation, which has formed on the outer surfaces of the covers, be not drained into the vat when the covers are lifted.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vat hinge having a continuous bearing along the adjacent edges of the cover and the center board, enabling the use of a light structure having ample strength and great durability.

Another object is to provide a vat hinge in which the operative relation of parts is maintained by simply constructed end guide and retaining members which may be readily removed to permit removal of the covers.

A further object is to provide a vat hinge construction which positively prevents the drainage therethrough and into the vat, of any condensation accumulated upon the outer surfaces of the covers.

Other objects and advantages will be ap'- parent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a fractional plan view of the end portions of a cover and a center board, and of the hinge structure operatively connecting them. Fig.

2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the plane of the line 2 2 in Fio. 1. Fig. 3

is a longitudinal vertical sectiona view takken on the plane of the line 3 3 in Fig. 1.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates a center board cover support preferably of wood construction and having sheet metal covering indicated at 2 and 3.

A preferably wood cover 4 is also provided with sheet metal covering 5 and 6. The top covering 2 of center board is formed with a Serial No. 377,964.

vertical edge flange 7 The bottom covering 3 is formed over the lateral edge of the wood core, continued upwardly adjacent thev flange 7, and formed thereabove into a cylinder 8 extending longitudinally of the center board and secured, as by welding, to the upper edge of the flange 7 The cover bottom covering sheet 6 is formed also as a covering for the lateral edge of the wood core of the cover, and is continued over and upon the cylinder 8 in a semi-cylindrical apron 9. The cover top sheet 5 is continued laterally over and upon the semi-cylindrical portion 9 also forming a semi-cylinder 10, the portions 9 and 10 being secured together as by welding.

rlhe rigidly united apron portions 9 and 10 are axially extended outwardly of the respective ends of the cover and center board, and of the ends of the cylinder 8, forming semi-cylindrical end wings 11 at each end of the hinge structure.l Secured within each end ofthe cylinder 8 is a stud 12 having an enlarged portion 13 extending endwardly of the cylinder 8 and serving as a journal for the semi-cylindrical end wing 11. A further axial extension 14 of each of the studs is screw threaded and removably supports a retaining collar 15 in overlying operative contact with the adjacent end wing 11, the collar being secured in position by a lock cap nut 16 mounted on the extension 14. L

ln the construction above described, the cylinder S serves as a journal or pintle upon which the joined apron portions 9 and 10 of the cover sheathing have a rotative bearing for the pivotal support of the cover in raising and lowering the latter. The form ofthe portions 8 and 9 in relation to the cover, is such that the weight of the cover is borne by and distributed along the cylinder 8 in any position of the cover from horizontal to vertical. Accidental displacement of the cover during its movement is prevented `by the position of the wings 11 within the retaining collars 15. There being no openings either in the cylinder 8 or the apron portions 9 and 10, the contact between them being a continuous unbroken bearing, there is no opportunity for condensation or other' liquid to pass through the hinged joint between cover and center board, the latter' forming a trough for the collection and endward discharge of any liquid flowing down from the surface of the cover when raised. Removal of the cover is greatly facilitated by it being necessary only to back off the collars l5 to uncover the apron wings ll whereupon the covers may be lifted from their normal position.

l claim as my invention:

l. In combination with a stationary support and a swingable cover, said support and cover being outwardly constructed of sheet metal, a hinge connection between said support and said cover comprising, a continuous imperforate cylinder formed in the sheet metal structure of said support along the edge of said support adjacent said cover, aV continuous imperforate semi-cylindrical apron formed in the sheet Vmetal structure of said cover along the edge of said cover adjacent said support, said apron overlying said cylinder in rotative relation thereto for the pivotal support of said swingable cover and having wings extending endwardly of each end of said cylinder, a pair of studs respectively fixed in the ends of said cylinder, and a pair of collars respectively mounted on said studs and extending in overlying concentric relation to said wings.

2. In combination with a stationary support and a swingable cover, said support and cover being outwardly constructed of sheet metal, a hinge connection between said support and said cover comprising, a cylinder formed in the sheet metal structure of said support adjacent said cover, an apron Jformed in the sheet metal structure of said cover adjacent said support, said apron overlying said cylinder in rotative relation thereto for the pivotal support of said swingable cover and having a wing extending endwardly of each end of said cylinder, a stud positioned in each end of said cylinder, a collar adjustably mounted on each of said studs and extending in overlying retaining relation to the adjacent one of said wings, and a cap mounted on each of said studs in adjustable abutting relation to said collar.

In witness whereof I have hereunto attached my signature.

OLAF LARSEN. 

